Insights into Selective Glucose Photoreforming for Coproduction of Hydrogen and Organic Acid over Biochar-Based Heterojunction Photocatalyst Cadmium Sulfide/Titania/Biochar

Abstract

Biomass photorefinery over a sustainable biochar (BC)-based heterojunction provides a promising approach to alleviate the worsening environment and energy crisis via sustainable hydrogen (H2) and valuable chemicals production. Moreover, no related results have been reported. Here, a novel BC-supported CdS/TiO2 photocatalyst (CdS/TiO2/BC) was rationally fabricated by simple hydrothermal and calcination methods for glucose photoreforming. The selectivity of value-added chemicals was modulated by alteration of the base type. BC, with large specific surface area and outstanding electrical conductivity, was employed as the carrier of the CdS/TiO2 heterojunction, which further facilitated the light absorption and charge separation. The as-synthesized CdS/TiO2/BC exhibited excellent acetic acid selectivity (63.94%) together with improved H2 generation (∼12.77 mmol g–1 h–1) in 25 mM NaOH solution, while efficient formic acid selectivity (60.29%) and H2 generation (∼10.29 mmol g–1 h–1) were observed in 3 mM Na2CO3 solution. Trapping tests indicated that ·O2 – and ·OH promoted the production of acetic acid. This study initiates a novel insight into the design of environmentally friendly photocatalysts for fuel and chemicals production from biomass photorefinery.

Straw-Derived Activated Carbon Decorated with Ag3PO4 for Organic Pollutant Removal by a Circular Degradation Mechanism: Adsorption and Photocatalysis

“…A plethora of research has been undertaken to investigate the capabilities of activated carbon derived from various biomass and organic substances. Integrative studies utilizing nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon from phthalonitrile resin, persulfate-activated graphitic carbon nitride, and nickel-alloy decorated sucrose-derived carbon constructs have charted new courses for the development of environmentally friendly photocatalysts. − Notably, biochar-supported CdS/TiO 2 heterojunction photocatalysts have demonstrated exceptional aptitude for the selective photoconversion of glucose, concurrently generating hydrogen and organic acids . These innovations pave the way for the integration of Ag 3 PO 4 with activated carbon, culminating in innovative adsorptive photocatalytic composites.…”

“… 31 − 33 Notably, biochar-supported CdS/TiO 2 heterojunction photocatalysts have demonstrated exceptional aptitude for the selective photoconversion of glucose, concurrently generating hydrogen and organic acids. 34 These innovations pave the way for the integration of Ag 3 PO 4 with activated carbon, culminating in innovative adsorptive photocatalytic composites. Such composites are poised to tackle the challenge of efficiently removing pollutants at high concentrations, a task that singular adsorbent and photocatalytic materials find formidable.…”

Orange Peel Biochar–CdS Composites for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

“…The introduction of mesoporous carbon prevents the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes, thus avoiding photocorrosion in CdS and improving the stability and photocurrent response of the material [44]. Shi et al [45] prepared a novel biochar-loaded CdS/TiO 2 photocatalyst (CdS/TiO 2 /BC) for glucose photoreforming using a simple hydrothermal and calcination method. The as-synthesized CdS/TiO 2 /BC exhibited excellent acetic acid selectivity (63.94%) together with improved H 2 generation (~12.77 mmol•g −1 •h −1 ) in 25 mM NaOH solution, while efficient formic acid selectivity (60.29%) and H 2 generation (~10.29 mmol•g −1 •h −1 ) were observed in 3 mM Na 2 CO 3 solution.…”